Rail grinder



Feb. 20, 1945. A. D. MCWHORTER 2,369,836

RAIL GRINDER Filed Feb. 9, 1944 3 Sheets-Shet 1 A-D-M@W H DRTER INVENTOR ATTORNEY Feb. 20, 1945. A, D. M CWHO RTER RAIL GRINDER Filed Feb. 9, 1944 3 sheets sheet 2 A.D.MCWHEIRTER INVENTOR Feb; 20, 19,45. A. D. MCWHORTER 2,359,836

' RAIL GRINDER Filed Feb. 9, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A- D MnWl-[EIR TEE.

INVENTOR BY ZTKNEY Patented Feb. 20, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE RAIL amma Alfred B. McWhortenMemphia Tenn.

Application February 9; 1944, Serial No. 521,617

8 Claims. (01. 51-178) gether with visual means for indicating the amount of pressure employed, and means for raising the grinding elements clear of the rails.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character designated which shall be simple and sturdyof design, economical to manufacture and reliable in operation.

As is well known in-the-art to which my-invention relates, electric street railway rails, in service, acquire transverse'corrugations which cause truck frame" embodying side bars l3. See Fig, 6.

The side bars 13 form the chief support for my improved grinding machine units which are mounted thereon by means of parallel supporting cross members l4 and I6, which in turn, are secured to the side bars I3 bymeans of U bolts I1 and I8. The grinding apparatus consists of separate units mounted on thecross members I4 and IS on opposite sides of the vehicle, each of which is operable separately, or both may .be

operated in unison.- Inasmuch as the separate units are identical, only one will now be described.

a vehicle passing thereover to ride rough and;

create discomfort for passengers. It is'the principal object of this invention to provide a grinding machine which may be mounted on the'side bars of a single truck electric street railway'vehicle and which shall be adapted to-grind the roughspots out of the track 'by being moved along the track .with abrasive elements'in engagementtherewith. Other objects and features of my invention will become'apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of" this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a single truck electric streetrailway vehicle having my improved rail grinder applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the operating screw and the principal parts connected therewith, with other parts removed.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of themain'supporting barthe visual indicating means employed with my invention. 1

Referring tothedravdngsfor a better understanding of my invention I show in Fig. 1 a typical street railway vehicle 10 having a single truck thereunder including wheels II and '12 with a ,Each of the separate rail grinding units comprises an upper supporting beam l9 mounted on the cross bars 14 and I6 and secured thereto by means of bolts 2| and 22. The supporting beam 19 is mounted directly over one of the rails of the track indicated byv the numerals 23 in Fig. 6. Secured to the upper supporting beam and extending downwardly therefrom are opposed guides 24 and 26, the same being mounted on both sides of the supporting beam i9 and braced on both sides by metal-cross braces 2I.' The metal cross braces are joined to the lower ends of the guides 24 and 26 by means of bolts 28 and 29 havinggcountersunk heads fitting in the inner sidesof the guides, as shown in Fig. 6.

A'hollow operating screw 3| extends throug the supporting beam I9 in threaded engagement therewith and extends upwardly into thevehicle. An operating wheel 32 is mounted on the upper end of the screw so as to be readily accessible to the operator-of the machine. A sleeve 33 surrounds the screw within the vehicle and braces 34 and 36 extend downwardlyfrom the sleeve to the beam is to steady. the screw;

Mounted directly beneath the supporting beam 19 is a cross head 31 which is reciprocable up and down beneath the supporting beam 19. Near the lower end of the hollow screw 3| an unthreaded portion extends through the cross head 3'! and is screwed by a nut at the end so as to raise and lower the cross head. Preferably an antifriction thrust bearing 38 is interposed between 24 and the slots 40, the guides 26, secured to the supporting beam 19. The cross head 3'! is also supplied with opposedguide slots 4| and v 12 which are adapted to receive'other guides, to be described later, and'with notches 43 and 44 in the upper surface joining the opposite sides respectively of the slots 4| and 42.

Mounted directly beneath the cross head 3'? is a grinding block holder 46 which is adapted for limited relative movement with respect to the crosshead 31. Connected to the grinding block holder and extending upwardly therefrom are U shaped guides 41 and 48 which extend upwardly and fit in the guide slots 4| and 42, respectively, of thecross head 3?. 49 and BI extend upwardly from the holder t5 and are joined to the upper ends of the guides ll and 48 by means of bolts 52 and 53. The bolts 52 and 53 rest in the notches 43 and 44, respectively, joining the ends of the braces .9 and guides 41, and thus provide a connection between the cross head 31 and the grinding blockholder 46 whereby the latter has a lirnite'd relative movement with respect to the cross head. Mounted in the grinding block holder 46 by means of bolts 54 and .56, acting against .a sidelrail. 51 which, Withthe other side 58 .of.:-the holder;v forms a clamp, are grinding blocks 59 and-6l..The grindingblocks. 59 .and 6| are adapted-to be brought into contact withthe rails" 23 for grinding the same. Securedto the grinding block holder 46 near the ends thereof, and extending upwardly therefrom are additional Ushaped guide members 50 and 55.

Downward motioniis imparted .to the grinding block holder 46 from'the cross head3l througha leaf spring 60 having itswends: 62 and 63 bearing against. the under side of the crossuhead 31 and having itsband 64 restingon theupper. surface of the-holder 46 .midwayrits ends. It will be seen that thisspring forms a yieldalole connection between the cross-head (and the holder 45 whereby the grinding blocks 59 and 6t may be brought to bear on the rails 23' with a yieldable pressure.

Inlorde'r .to provide additional side bracing for theapparatus in. operation I provide additional guide members .fifiwseoured to the siderailsv l3 alongside each of the units and extending downwardly. withinner. members Bl adapted to engage the .outsidesurface of the guide members 50 and 55. Likewise .I provide inner guide members 68 securedto thecross'members l4 and 16. which extend downwardlybetween;v the units and bear against the guide members 50 andfih. The guide members 68 are braced by. means ,oi. diagonal braces: 69.

Extendingdownwardly through. the hollowoperating screw 3 I. andireely movable responsive to gravity with respect thereto is an indicating rod the lower end of whichrests on the spring band E4 and the upper end of which extends outwardly through the operating wheel 32 on the upper unthreaded end-0f the screw 3|. The upper end of the rod 10 is calibrated preferably in successive steps ll of decreasing diameter. v is screwed downwardly moving the cross head 31 and the spring .60 'is deflected responsive to pressure exerted against the grinding block holder 45, the indicatingv rod Ill projects more and more through the operating wheel 3| andthe calibra= tions ll indicate the amountof pressure-being exerted on the grinding-blocks.

From the foregoing description,--the operation of my improved rail grinding machine i will be readily apparent. W'ith the separate units mounted on the side railsiof the truck frame on opposite sides of the vehicle. the vehicle is propelled by its own-power inamanner well understood, along the tracks. W henthe grinding units Diagonal braces As the screw 31 are not in operation, the screw 3! is retracted sufiiciently to raise the grinding blocks 59 off the rails. When it is desired to grind a section of the rails of the track, the screws 3| are screwed downwardly to bring the grinding blocks, which are preferably made of Carborundum or other similar abrasive, into contact with the rails. The pressure exerted on the grinding blocks is regulated according to the condition of the track to be ground and is indicated by the extent that the upper end of the indicating rod 1i) protrudes through the operating wheel 32. The vehicle is then propelled along the track at as high a rate of speed as possible, consistent with safety, and the grinding blocks act to remove the corrugations in the rails. When the rails have thus been smoothed out the screws 3| are retracted, raising the grinding blocks off the rails.

In-carrying out the operation just described, it will be seen that there is considerable resistance to movement of the grinding blocks infrictional engagement with the rails andthe importance of the guide elements 24 and 26 on the supporting. beam l and the guides '41 and 48 on the grinding block holder 46 wil1 be appreciated. That is the guides reciprocating inthe slots 39,40, ll and 42 of the cross head 31, hold the grinding block holder firmly to its proper position on the rail 23. Also, the retaining braces 61,68 prevent lateral displacement of the grinding machine units with respect to the rails 23.

It will be apparent from the foregoing thatI have devised an improved rail grindingmachine which is simple of construction and operation, which apparatus is adapted for mounting on an ordinary electric street railway vehicle.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it Will be obvioustov those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and'I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims. 1

What I claim is: p

,1. Ina rail grinding machine, ,a railway car truck having a frame with side rails, an upper supporting beam supported by the side rails, and mounted directly over the railtobe ground, a cross head mounted beneath the supporting beam and movable up and down with respect thereto,

guide means cooperating between thecross head, and the supportingbeam, ascrew. extending.

through the supporting beam in threaded engagement therewithand connected to the cross head, a grinding block holderxmounted beneath the cross head and adapted for limited movement relative thereto, a springfor transmitting pressure from the cross headito the grinding block holder, and means. for :visually. indicating .the pressure transmitted.

2. In rail grinding apparatus, the combination with a single truckrailway vehicle having a truck frame, of separategrindingbunits mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle. and. supported from the truck frame, each unit comprising an upper supporting beam'mounted over theirailiand extending parallel thereto, a grinding block holder with grinding blocks mounted beneath the supporting beam and the grinding block holder and operatively connected thereto, a cross head disposed between the supportingbeam and the grinding block holder, a leaf; spring interposed.

betweenthe cross-head and" the grinding block holder through which downward movement imparted to the holderfguide means cooperating between the supporting beam and the cross head 4 V and the grinding block holder and the cross head 1 to hold the grinding blocks in engagement with the rail, and means'to, actuate the cross head to raise and lower the grinding block holder.

3. In rail grinding'apparatus, the combination with a single truck railway vehicle having a truck frame, of separate grinding units mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle and supported from the truck frame, each unit comprising an upper supporting beam mounted over the rail and ex-.

grinding block holder and the cross head. to hold the grinding blocks in engagement with the rail,

means t actuate the cross head to raise and lower the grinding block holder, and means to indicate er by the cross head. 4. In a rail grinding machine, a grinding bloc holder extending parallel withthe rail with grinding blocks secured therein, a cross head for actuating the grinding block holder and movable relative thereto, means limiting separating movement between the cross head and the grinding block holder, a leaf spring interposed between the cross head and the grinding block holder with its ends bearing against the cross head anda central band bearing against the grinding block holder for imposing a variable pressure thereon, and an operating screw for actuating the cross headto raise and lower the grinding blocksto engage and disengage them with the rails.

5. In a rail grinding machine, a grinding block holder extending parallel with the rail with grinding blocks secured therein, a cross headfor actuating the grinding block holder and movable relative thereto, means limiting separating movement between the crowhead and the grinding block holder, a leaf spring interposed between V the cross head and the grinding block holder with its ends bearing against the cross head and a central band bearing against the grinding block holder for imposing a variable pressure thereon,

a vertically disposed hollow operating screw for actuating the cross head to raise and lower the grinding'blocks and engage and disengage them with the rails, an indicating rod telescoped within the operating screw and freely movable therein responsive to gravity, said rod being disposed for itslower end to rest on the spring midway its ends andto protrude from the upper end of the operating screw to indicate by the extentwhich it protrudes the pressure imposed on the grinding blocks from the cross head.

6. In a rail grinding machine, a grinding block holder extending parallel with the rail with grindating screw for actuating the cross head to raise and lower the grinding blocks to engage them with and disengage them from the rails, a supporting beam fixedly mounted over the cross head, said operating screw being in threaded engagement with the supporting beam and operatively connected to the cross head, and an indicating rod telescoped within theoperating screw and freely movable therein responsive to gravity, said rod having its lower end resting on the spring band and its upper end protruding through the upper end of the screw to indicate by the extent which it protrudes the pressure imposed on the grinding block holder.

'7. Ina rail grinding machine, a grinding block holder extending parallel with the rail with grinding blocks secured therein, a cross head for actuating the grinding block holder and movable re1- ative thereto, means limiting separating movement between the cross head and the grinding block holder, a leaf spring interposed between the cross head and the grinding block holder the pressure imposed on the grinding block holdwith its ends bearing against the cross head and a central band bearing against the grinding block holder for imposing a variable pressure thereon,

an operating screw for actuating the cross head.

to raise and lower the grinding blocks to engage them with and to disengage them from the rails,

, a supporting beam fixedly mounted over the cros head, said operating screw-being in threaded engagement with thesupporting beam and operatively connected to the cross head, an indicating rod telescoped within-the operating screw and freely movable therein responsive to gravity, said rod having its lower end resting on the spring band and its upper end protruding through the upper end of the screw to indicate by the extent which it protrudes the pressure imposed on the grinding block holder, and guide means cooperating between the supporting beam, the grinding block holder and the cross head to limit movements of the grinding block holder to movements in a vertical plane. I

8. In a rail grinding machine, a grinding block holder extending parallel with the rail with grinding blocks secured therein, a cross head for actuating the grinding block holder and movable relative thereto, means limiting separating movement between the cross head and the grinding block holder, a leaf spring interposed between the cross head and the grinding block holder with ing blocks secured therein, a cross head ior actuv ating the grinding block holder and movable relative thereto, means limiting separating move-g band bearing against the grinding block holder for imposing a variable pressure thereon, an operits ends bearing against the cross head and a central band bearing against the grinding block holder for imposing a variable pressure thereon, an operating screw for actuating the cross head to raise and lower the grinding blocks to engage them with and disengage them from the rails, a supporting beam fixedly mounted over the cross head, said operating screw being in threaded engagement with the supporting beam and operatively connected to the cross head, an indicating rod telescoped within the operating screw. and freely movable therein responsive to gravity, said rod having its lower end resting on the spring band and its upper end protruding through the upper end of the screw to indicate by the extent which it protrudes the pressure imposed on the grinding block holder, and guide means cooperating between the supporting beam, the grinding block holder and the cross head to limit movements of the grinding block holder to movements in a vertical plane, a railwayvehicle including a truck frame, and means to mount the machine on the truck frame.

A. D. MCWHORTER; 

